1
as in devilment
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
your mother was full of mischief as a child, believe it or not
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mischief
In the 12 years since earning Bronze at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, Nick battled depression, panic attacks, and substance abuse, all of which culminated in a very public arrest for criminal mischief.
—
Outside Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Agents from the United Galactic Federation soon arrive to retrieve their test subject, and some wacky island mischief ensues.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2025
Green faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree criminal mischief, fleeing and reckless driving, the release states.
—Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 26 Dec. 2025
If caught, the unidentified suspects will face charges of theft, burglary and criminal mischief, according to the sheriff’s office.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief
Noun
-
Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
-
But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Noun
-
That spirit of playfulness extends beyond the story itself and into the book’s visual world.—
-
Somehow, the phone number in the matchbox has that surprise, that playfulness.—
Noun
-
On Monday, the Prairie Village City Council voted to adopt a conditional license for Oakley Reign — a spider monkey that’s recently been ushered into the spotlight as the northeast Johnson County city considered changing its definition of dangerous wild animals to include all monkeys.—
-
Spot striking tropical flowers, colorful birds, and perhaps even a monkey in the forest canopy around the cascades.—
Noun
-
Social media users can’t get enough of Chico’s antics, as many lauded his mischievousness.—
-
Soon, the America’s Got Talent stage descended into pure chaos, with Cowell and Mandel showcasing their innate mischievousness before the latter turned his attention toward his fellow judges.—
Noun
-
Nobody wants to deal with our old devil, even if the new one comes with an encroaching open threat actively bubbling in the Caribbean and Latin America at large.—
-
But Bourdain, with his devil-be-damned demeanor, somehow makes the dish feel approachable — even though the two chefs’ recipes are pretty similar.—
Noun
-
Pearl revels in wickedness, presenting a literary world in which a successful writer’s haughtiness is both encouraged and rewarded.—
-
But despite this being the internet, there’s no wickedness being thrust around — everyone’s taking the chance to get in on a memeless rollout.—
Noun
-
Still, the pure rascality in these extravagant self-inventions shouldn’t be overlooked.—
-
Naturally, such rascality didn't do overall fuel economy any favors; in fact, my average was just 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) over the course of 125 miles at the E 350's helm.—
Noun
-
Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.—
-
If Michael Jackson moonwalked so that Prince could show us the face of God with his brain-melting 2007 set, the NFL’s reaction to Fox’s inspired bit of devilry set the stage for the league’s eventual takeover of the American psyche.—
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share